Further steps taken as excitement builds for skateboarding’s Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020

Following the inclusion of skateboarding in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been working with the International Roller Sports Federation (FIRS) and the International Skateboarding Federation (ISF) to establish a collaborative model to deliver the skateboarding events at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and embrace the global skateboarding community.

Following a joint meeting with FIRS and the ISF, the IOC highlighted the recognition of FIRS as the governing body for skateboarding, while acknowledging the ISF’s extensive experience and expertise in the organisation of skateboarding events and the representation of skateboarders. Engagement with the skateboarding community and support for the unique character of the sport have been highlighted as key elements of the plans for Tokyo 2020.

IOC / Ubald Rutar

The Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission has been established between FIRS and the ISF in order to work towards the delivery of skateboarding competitions at the highest level at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The Commission has responsibility for the preparation and organisation of the sporting and technical elements of the Olympic skateboarding competitions, with FIRS having responsibility for the institutional elements. The Commission will attend the 2017 FIRS Annual Congress in Nanjing in March 2017.

At national level, it has been agreed that FIRS member national federations will normally be recognised by their respective NOCs and will engage with and support the existing skateboarding community for the benefit of skateboarders.

IOC / Ubald Rutar

FIRS has also confirmed that funding resulting from the inclusion of skateboarding in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be directed to skateboarding programmes and activities, with respect to existing activities.

The addition of skateboarding to the programme of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 was unanimously supported by the 129th IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro and was part of the most comprehensive evolution of the Olympic programme in modern history. The four other new sports added to the sports programme were baseball/softball, karate, sports climbing and surfing.